@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:15 UTC
As much as I don't want to appear to be taking side of the Saudis in a sectarian fight, qualifications in order re Saudi Shia Shaykh Nimr.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:16 UTC
Nimr Baqir al-Nimr was an openly pro-Iran cleric from Awamiya who specialized in inflammatory rhetoric. He was not a civil rights activist.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:17 UTC
Nimr was famous for saying, "We are with Iran heart and soul." In a war, he simply insisted Iran not attack oil facilities. Shia work there.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:21 UTC
Nimr's last arrest came after a super-inflammatory sermon on Prince Naef's death. Any Sunni cleric would have been killed for the same.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:22 UTC
Nimr mocked Naef, saying "O Naef, where are your guards to protect you from the maggots in the grave?!" He was playing with fire.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:24 UTC
This is the video of Nimr's inflammatory Naef sermon, followed by one with short excerpts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVFW3Ypg_q4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4cKP47KHsM
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:25 UTC
If you watch the full video, the most explosive parts are after the min 45 point. Hard to imagine Saudi authorities letting this go.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:27 UTC
I think the Saudis were more tolerant of Nimr than they would be of any Sunni cleric making anti-Al Saud statements. He was useful.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:48 UTC
4/ Nimr was arrested on July 8, 2012 (ar-
http://www.alriyadh.com/750431). This is just two weeks after the Naef sermon. Connection is clear.
@UticaRisk
2016-01-02 13:50 UTC
5/ Media outlets who suggest Nimr was arrested for the protests (BBC etc) are doing their readers a disservice. Get the context right.